Cairns Eclipse

I week to go and I’m all set.

This is what every well dress eclipse watcher will be wearing on the morning of the 14th November. Bring it on.

Ddraig Goch

psst… that’s Welsh Dragon.

After my recent crocheting woes I decided that since i will be home this week I would start on my Welsh Dragon kit I bought while on holidays. At first it felt a little strange stitching another person’s design but I soon got back into the swing of cross stitch.

Just in case it takes me a while to finish I thought I would show you how it will look when finished.

Crochet Woes

Before hopping on the plane and heading OS I grabbed myself some 8 ply wool and a crochet hook. Crochet is a great ‘plane craft’, its quiet and doesn’t need a lot of elbow room.  Since I’ve been home I’ve needed to be on a plane twice more so the crocheting got to go again.

During these recent trips I started using some different colours; same brand, same ply and same size hook but with very different results. I will have to undo the green and orange squares and re-do using a different size hook. I  wouldn’t mind so much if I had bought cheap wool but at the price I paid I don’t think it is too much to ask for consistency.

Drawing With My Camera

This is my kitchen hutch.

And so is this. The Drawing mode eliminates the dust. Wonder of I can do the whole house in that decor?

The Crafter’s Way 224–Crochet Bangle Tutorial

As promised here is a tutorial to make Crochet Bangles. I’ve included the instructions in both US and English language. I have used the term yarn even though I am technically using thread. For this project you will need a metal bangle, crochet hook size 2.75mm and 16m of  of my Eco Dyed Rayon thread.

US Crochet Language:
Start by making a Slip knot on your hook. We are now going to cover the bangle. These* instructions* will be the same for both US and English. With the slip knot on the hook place the hook under the bangle. Yarn over hook. (1) Draw hook under bangle. Place hook over bangle. Yarn over hook. (2) Pull hook through first two loops, leaving one. Repeat this step until you completely cover the bangle.*
                                                  
When you return to start join both ends with a slipstitch (slip st). Make 2 chains (ch). Insert hook into top of 2^nd stitch from slipstitch. You should now have 2 stitches on the hook. Yarn over, draw yarn through both stitches. This is a Single Crochet (sc). Continue making sc into every second stitch until you reach the beginning again. Make another slip st (3).

To make the scallops: in the same stitch as the last slipknot make a Half Double Crochet (hdc), Double Crochet(dc), Half Double Crochet(hdc) , slipstitch(slip st).# Chain 2 (4), miss 2 stitches, slip st, hdc, dc, hdc, slip st. ( all these are into the same stitch) (5). Repeat from # until you have completed the bangle. Join with a slip st.
               
English – remember the instructions * are the same for both crochet languages.
When you return to start join both ends with a slipstitch (sl st). Make 2 chains (ch). Insert hook into top of 2^nd stitch from slipstitch. You should now have 2 stitches on the hook. Yarn over, draw yarn through both stitches. This is a Double Crochet (dc). Continue making dc into every second stitch until you reach the beginning again. Make another sl st.
To make the scallops: in the same stitch as the last slipknot make a Half Treble Crochet (htr), Treble Crochet(tr), Half Treble Crochet(htr) , slipstitch(sl st). # Chain 2, miss 2 stitches, sl st, htr, tr, htr, sl st. (all these are into the same stitch) . Repeat from # until you have completed the bangle. Join with a sl st.
Happy crocheting.

Experimental Photography.

I promised some arty images from the boat race. That sounds like I knew what I was doing but the reality is I have a new camera and wanted to try out some of the features.

This shot was taken with the camera set to auto.

This is the ‘Sparkle’ setting. I can see the difference but can’t see why you would bother.

Fish Eye. Could be fun to play around with.

Punk. I wonder if it comes in other colours?

Pin Hole. mmmmmm?

Soft Focus. Might try this one on a headshot.

Drawing. This is my favourite feature. Can’t wait to play with this some more.

Beach Walk

Alan and I rarely get a chance to have a relaxing breakfast out so when the sun was out and we both had the day off we decided to walk into Redcliffe for breakfast.

This is the view at the end of our street. Scott’s Point is a popular picnic spot. When were kids we used to slide down the slope on bits of cardboard.

This is Margate Beach looking toward Redcliffe. There weren’t too many people out at this time but by lunch it will be a different story.

Almost there. Which was a good thing because I was hanging out for a coffee. Time for another pic first though. You might think we did some  jetty jumping off here when we were kids but that would have been dangerous and irresponsible (ba ha ha).

Almost home now. This is looking back toward Scott’s Point. Next to the view from the bridges when you come to Redcliffe I think this is my favourite view. People wonder why I never left.

Brisbane to Gladstone

This morning we walked to the end of street, laid out our picnic rug, poured ourselves a champagne and watched the start of the annual Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.

For some reason they started a long way off shore. Not only were they a long way out but they were a ways away from the end of the Shornliffe Pier, the traditional start line.

I do need to fess up here. Alan took all these images. I’ll share my arty ones tomorrow. p.s that’s code for crappy.

This is while they are still jostling for the start.

We had a spinnaker start. lots of pretty colours.

      

The spectator fleet.

Note the number plate.

And it wouldn’t be an event at Redcliffe without sky divers, The Easter Bunny was dropping in. The way they flew past Woody Point they might just finish in record time this year.

Vintage Knits

In amongst some goodies I picked up at a Garage Sale I found this.

My initial reaction was oooooh! After a closer look it was more like ohhhhhhh!

I made myself this cardie in the 80’s. I must have owned the book at one stage cause I can also remember making one of the other patterns.

So for the record it is not a ‘Vintage Pattern’ it is preloved.

PS I also had the big hair.

The Craft List

The List. I would be lost without it.

It keeps me focussed, stops me going off on a crafty tangent just because something new has caught my eye. Today I have crossed off a few more things.

 

Finished the brooches I started way back when…. I think it was during one of Mum’s mid year hospital admissions.

Quickly made some more bow brooches as well.

Restocked our headband supply.

And then started another task on the list.

I fear it may be quite a while before this one gets crossed off.  Must fly, lots to do. Now, where is my list???????

New Look for a New Year

Fourteen months ago I decided that it was time for a bedroom make over. Last December I got as far a looking for fabric before family dramas intervened.

This year, while on Christmas Break, I was determined to at least have the fabric measured and cut out ready for sewing.

Everything worked out perfectly. I made  2 London Blinds, all the Sheer Curtains and the European Cushions.

The colour scheme suited the existing  picture frames, the art work needed a little work though.

I cut some random shapes out of the blind fabric.

Each of the four frames have a different motif. Easy squeezy, done in less than 10 mins. A few more finishing touches and I will be done. Think I will update the dining room curtains next. Hopefully it won’t take me the next 14 months.

Fabric Love

Shell Collector Card Series

Last week I spent a bit of time with Mum sorting through bits and pieces. We found these stashed away in the back of a cupboard.

These were available at Shell Service Stations. the idea was you collected all the cards, then inserted them into the book.

This book had a weather theme. Note: I didn’t try to spell meteorology.

Butterflies and Moths.

Australian Beetles.

Shells, Fish & Corals.

Citizenship. This one is a bit dated, many of the jobs/roles simply don’t exist anymore.

Birds.

There are no dates on these books. Does anyone have any idea when they were printed and how many were in the series?